Moving images Introduction TV is a central, but scarcely considered and definitely under-developed ward resource. The telly can be a wonderful source of interesting, funny, important things to talk about, while the programmes are going on. And you can build on ideas stimulated by what’s on, to enjoy activities before, during and after the programmes. […]

Wii-habilitation Introduction Ge-Wii-atrics, Wii-habilitation… It’s not just the kids who are getting down with Nintendo Wii. Lots of wards now have Nintendo Wii machines, providing patients (and their visitors) with a delightful choice of entertainment, physical exercise and mental stimulation. One of the reasons why Wii is so great is that it can be used […]

TLC from the TLWs Introduction The role of ‘Therapeutic Liaison Worker’ (TLW) was originally created on Ashby Ward at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit in Leicester by Nic Higham, a Healthcare Support Worker. (Happily for Star Wards, Nic now works with us!) The unit recognised the need for a role on acute wards to help […]

Giving, getting, gaining Introduction Film clubs, funky felting, pampering groups and helping patients with their personal laundry. Volunteers are doing their kind, quirky, community thing in many or probably most wards in the country, whether it’s a church group coming for a weekly prayer meeting or a former patient occasionally acting as an informal advocate. […]

Gentle adventure Introduction Bingo is a much mocked activity – apart from those who enjoy it, for whom it is very rightly a cherished oasis of distraction, excitement and socialising. It remains a staple of many hospital activity programmes, particularly for older patients, and we’d like to warmly endorse this. Studies of elderly people in […]

PLEASE HELP US HELP MENTAL HEALTH WARDS

You might be wondering – what difference does Star Wards actually make to mental health wards? It’s a question we continuously ask ourselves, to make sure that we are having a positive impact. Well, we have over 800 wards signed up to receive our resources and, in the past, we have had Star Wards independently evaluated. A micro-summary of what our users have said is that wards who tried Star Wards ideas had:

Increased activities for patients in 88%

Increased patient satisfaction in 77%

Decrease in aggression in 60%

This is not about us, it is about people like you. These improvements are down to your hard work. And you can check our newsletters for wards doing amazing things right now. So we are told we do help you make a difference – and we want to get better and be here to help you in the future. So, join up, join in and let us know your wonderful ideas – and if you can donate to us or fundraise for us, we would be delighted to hear from you. Thank you for all you do.